A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. It is usually operated by a gaming commission and has strict rules to ensure the fairness of games. Casinos are located all over the world and most countries have legalized them. During the second half of the 20th century, many European countries amended their gambling laws to permit casinos. Casinos are also found on American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state antigambling laws.
Most modern casinos are highly automated and supervised by computer systems that can be monitored minute-by-minute for any anomaly; for example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry to interact with electronic systems that track the exact amounts wagered on each game and alert the casino when the expected result is not achieved. Video cameras are used for general security and to monitor players and the games themselves.
Some casinos specialize in particular games, such as baccarat (a popular game in Europe), sic bo and fan-tan. Others feature a variety of games, including American poker. Casinos may also offer other games, depending on their location: boule and kalooki are common in France; two-up is a popular Australian game; and pontoon and two-card brag are played in England.
Casinos are designed to be exciting and fun, but they can be dangerous places if patrons do not follow rules or engage in risky behavior. Due to the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both staff and patrons can be tempted to cheat or steal, in collusion or independently. For this reason, most casinos have stringent security measures in place. These may include security cameras, a trained staff, and specialized surveillance departments.